COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to much-loved Church of Scotland minister Rev George Cowie, who has died after a long illness.

Rev Cowie passed away on December 21 at age 58. He had served as clerk of the presbytery of Glasgow since 2017 and was a Chaplain-in-ordinary to Her Majesty The Queen, one of the many clergy who served the Royal Family.

Rev Cowie was raised in the Hyndland and Jordanhill areas of Glasgow and attended Glasgow University where he trained to be a civil engineer before entering the ministry.

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He enjoyed a short career in Glasgow before heading to Fife in 1991 and northwards to Aberdeen in 1999.

The minister also played a key role in the kirk as acting Depute Clerk to the General Assembly in 2014-15.

Rev Dr Grant Barclay said Rev Cowie was "ideally suited" for the role of clerk to the Presbytery of Glasgow. He added: "He had a wide experience of church life as a parish minister in Fife and then in Aberdeen and possessed a deep knowledge of Church law," added Dr Barclay who took over the position when Mr Cowie's health declined.

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"Many ministers and staff members in congregations across the presbytery and beyond found George's principled commitment, genuine care and sense of humour immensely supportive and encouraging.

"Members of the presbytery office remember him as a committed clerk, a compassionate colleague and a man of great faith and integrity.

"George was everything we could have wanted in a boss – he was one of a kind and will be missed."

Mr Cowie's funeral is being held at New Kilpatrick Parish Church in Bearsden near Glasgow on January 12 and 12pm, and will be streamed online.